French authorities will start stopping small boats in English Channel after British demands
France has agreed to begin stopping migrant vessels in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader sent a letter to the French leader urging him to support the plan and stating there presently "lack any effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French security forces will be allowed to intercept the migrant vessels at sea, but only before they've collected their passengers, according to authoritative statements.
French authorities have rarely intervened to stop the overcrowded boats departing from the shoreline because it is viewed as too great a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is essential that we deploy these methods this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel."
Now, a French maritime police spokesperson says personnel will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of safeguarding human life.
Notably, the official ruled out the use of entanglement devices to intercept boats, which had previously been suggested as a potential method to disable the propellers of the vessels.
The decision to take action at all is a significant step forward, coming after a short-lived change towards a stricter strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from office.
That was highlighted in the summer month, preceding a summit between the Prime Minister and French president, when authorities were witnessed wading into the sea to slash the hulls of a vessel.
Now French authorities will once more be allowed to intercept boats before they pick up migrant passengers from the beaches of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Strong winds are presently delaying the start of interceptions and the human trafficking networks will be seeking ways to adapt to avoid interception, as they have done so often in the previous instances.
UK immigration authorities and the Prime Minister's office have been contacted for comment.
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